Abstract: In a time division multiplex video reproducing apparatus, a dual purpose memory serves to (a) perform time compression for time division multiplexing and (b) perform as a variable delay line for time base error correction. Seemingly unavoidable conflicts in the allocation of memory space (between multiplexing operations and time base error correction operations) are eliminated by performing the time base error correction operations during a memory idle time inherent in the time division multiplexing process. As a result, time base error correction in this invention requires little additional hardware and no additional space in the memory beyond that required for time division multiplexing.

Abstract: An automatic changer for cassette tapes suited for the use in an automobile or the like constituted of a tape container capable of containing a plurality of cassette tapes and a table for supporting the tape container. The tape container is provided with a first engagement portion extended in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the cassette tape is inserted into the tape container and the table is provided with a second engagement portion which engages the first engagement portion. The first engagement portion is positioned out of the center of the side plate of the tape container which is disposed in parallel with the direction in which the cassette tape is inserted and adapted to be movable relative to the second engagement portion.

Abstract: Two pairs of opposing magnetic heads mounted in quadrature on a rotary drum simultaneously receive two independent video channels, one channel being quadrature-delayed with respect to the other. The heads simultaneously record the two video channels in adjacent tracks on a video tape moving at twice the normal linear tape speed. To playback one of the two simultaneously recorded video channels, the two pairs of heads retrace their respective recorded tracks while the video tape moves at twice normal linear speed, but only one opposing head pair is connected to playback circuitry. In an alternative embodiment, the tape moves at standard speed while the heads skip-field record the two quadrature-delayed video channels.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus comprises a main head and an auxiliary head for simultaneously reproducing from a recording medium two video signals having a mutual time difference of approximately one field, and a circuit for performing a re-sampling and/or a conversion for displaying the reproduced video signal as a progressively scanned frame of picture based on the two reproduced video signals.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus comprises a sampling circuit for sampling an input video signal by a signal having a predetermined frequency f.sub.s, a circuit for obtaining a multiplexed signal by multiplexing a reference burst signal to the output sampled signal of the sampling circuit, and a circuit for recording the multiplexed signal on a recording medium. A video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises in addition to the constituting elements of the recording apparatus, a circuit for reproducing the recorded multiplexed signal from the recording medium, a circuit for obtaining from the reproduced multiplexed signal first and second reproduced sampled signals having a relative time difference of one horizontal scanning period, a circuit for generating first and second sampling pulses having the same frequency f.sub.s and having phases which mutually differ by 180.degree.

Abstract: A tape recorder device of the double cassette type wherein reproducing operation on a second tape driving mechanism can be automatically started continuously after completion of reproducing operation on a first tape driving mechanism and which is greatly improved in operability and allows operation of operating members by a low operating force. In the device, a selectively engageable member for selectively engaging with part of a reversing mechanism of a first tape driving mechanism to directly change over the reversing mechanism between a repetitive reversing condition and a one-time reversing condition is changed over to the one-time reversing condition in response to movement of a change-over operating member which brings a second tape driving mechanism into a pause condition.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording video and audio signals, and in which a video signal has its time base compressed to 1/N the time base of a standard television signal and the time base compressed video signal is recorded in slant tracks on a tape by rotary heads while the tape is driven so as to provide a recording format coincident with that of a standard video tape recorder, and with video information of one field being recorded in each track; there are further provided a time base compressor for compressing the time base of an input audio signal in correspondence to the time base compressed video signal, a frequency modulator for frequency modulating a carrier signal with the time base compressed audio signal, and a mixer for mixing the time base compressed and frequency modulated audio signal with the time base compressed video signal prior to recording with the latter by the rotary heads in the standard recording format.

Abstract: A color video signal recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a first circuit for delaying by a time period T a reproduced time-compressed line-sequential color difference signal in which time-compressed first and second color difference signals are alternately transmitted in time sequence for every time period T, a second circuit for delaying a reproduced luminance signal by a time period 2nT+.alpha., where n=1 or 2 and 0.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.

Abstract: A field/frame signal conversion method in a magnetic picture recording for use in an electronic still camera and the like is disclosed which prevents the lowering of a SN ratio of a field signal and the occurrence of flicker caused by delaying the field signal. In the field/frame signal conversion method, an operation of delaying the field signal for the field/frame signal conversion as well as for an arithmetic mean operation, performed for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of the V jitter caused by the field/frame signal conversion, is carried out in the frequency modulated condition of the field signal. Then the arithmetic mean operation is performed after the field signal is frequency demodulated and before it is de-emphasized.

Abstract: The tape drive device for a magnetic transfer apparatus comprises a master tape and a slave tape wound about a rotary drum and kept in intimate pressure contact with one another by air jetted from a rectangular nozzle formed in an air guide member enclosing and secured to a magnetic head. During tape running, tension on each tape is controlled to a constant value by tension sensors associated with respective tape reels. When it is desired upon termination of transfer operation to stop the tape travel, the tape reels for a slave tape presenting a higher inertia are braked first. The remaining reels presenting a lower inertia are then acted upon and the tape tension sensing means associated therewith are operated to control the tension to a constant value in the course of simultaneous cessation of the tape travel.

Abstract: Video reproduction apparatus records a field of a high resolution time-division-multiplex (TDM) video signal on first and second adjacent tracks on a magnetic tape. A head switch signal is included within the TDM video signal recorded on the tape in order to minimize skew errors which may occur in mid-field when switching between video signals sequentially played back from the first and second tracks. Each track has recorded thereon a plurality of horizontal lines of color video signals in a time-divisional-multiplex format including a compressed horizontal sync signal and compressed video component signals arranged in time sequential order. The compressed horizontal sync signal is deleted in a designated horizontal line signal at the end of the upper half of the field recorded on the first track such that the deleted horizontal sync signal constitutes a head switch signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing recorded interleaved video fields as a field sequential video signal. The interleaved video fields are recorded on a magnetic disc at one rotary speed and reproduced at a second rotary speed utilizing appropriate switching and two dual frequency CCD delay lines to produce a field sequential video signal.

Abstract: A video tape reproduction apparatus is operable in a conventional mode in which a field of video information is recorded in a single track on magnetic tape, and in a high quality mode in which a field of video information is recorded in two adjacent tracks. In the high quality mode, in order to minimize skew errors (which may occur during playback when switching in mid-field from track to track), the second half of the field is delayed before it is recorded in the second track. Preferably the first half of each field is recorded with an integral number of horizontal lines so that switching is effected during a horizontal blanking interval.

Abstract: Video reproduction apparatus such as a video cassette recorder which is operable in either a first conventional mode or a second high resolution mode. The apparatus includes processing circuitry for selectively processing video signals either of a first conventional format of reduced bandwidth, or of a second time-division-multiplex (TDM) format of higher bandwidth than the first format. A capstan is provided for moving magnetic tape along a path at a first speed and at a second speed greater than the first speed. A magnetic transducer carried on a drum is located along the tape path and is rotated at a first rotational speed and at a second rotational speed, greater than the first rotational speed for recording and playing back video signals in parallel tracks on the magnetic tape. Control structure and circuitry are provided for controlling the processing circuitry, the capstan, and the magnetic transducer drum so that they are operable in at least first and second modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for modifying the playing time of a program including a signal converter (1) for converting a signal (S.sub.1) corresponding to the difference between the time content and the desired playing time of a program to a tape-speed-varying signal (.DELTA.T.sub.D) and a reference-signal-varying signal (.DELTA.T.sub.p). The tape-speed-varying signal controls a delay (5) of a detected capstan signal (T.sub.D). The delayed and nondelayed capstan signal are phase compared (4) to produce a speed control voltage. The tape-speed-varying signal varies the frequency of the capstan reference signal (T.sub.P) in a reference signal generator (2). The capstan reference signal is then phase compared (3) with a signal regenerated from the control track of the tape to produce a phase control voltage. An adder (6) adds the speed and phase control voltages to produce a signal to drive the capstan motor.

Abstract: A television video signal is compressed to the number of digital video signals sufficient for display of an image on a liquid crystal display. A television audio signal is also sampled and digitized. The television video and audio signals are combined to produce a digital television signal. The audio signal is sampled and digitized to produce the digital audio signal. The rotational speed of a rotary drum having record/playback heads in the digital television signal record/playback mode is different from that in the digital audio signal record/playback mode. By utilizing a digital audio tape recorder (DAT), the digital television and audio signals can be selectively recorded or played back.

Abstract: Editing data producing apparatus produces first data for editing a cinema film based on second editing data obtained by editing a television video signal reproduced from a record medium on which a cinema signal is recorded in a manner of the television video signal. The video signal is obtained from the cinema signal by an m:n ratio (m and n are both integers) pull-down conversion. An editing video frame address representative of an editing location of the video signal and a reference video frame address representative of the video frame address corresponding to a predetermined cinema frame address of the cinema signal are supplied to a circuit which then produces a relative address between the editing video frame address and the reference video frame address. A circuit is provided for dividing a number representative of the relative address by a number bearing a predetermined relation to m and n, so that a remainder is detected.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording and playing back a plurality of digitally encoded audio messages along with associated video data. The messages are combined along with a plurality of corresponding audio message initial data address signals and recorded on a recording medium with the video data. In playback, the address and audio data signals are retrieved from the recording medium and stored. The address signals are utilized to access selectable messages for decoding and playback with selected video data. Codes can be included to control the decoding rate in accordance with the sample rate of the audio message data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding, storing, and reading out frames of video signal, such as a television signal. Fast access to encoded frames on a disk is achieved using a technique which employs tag bits to control the storage and decoding of the video.

Abstract: A digital data transmitting system comprises a first circuit for transmitting digital data related to an information signal data in terms of sectors each having k words with respect to each channel, where k is a natural number. The transmission of the digital data is performed within a predetermined transmission time period once or a plurality of times according to a tolerance of data error rate for an information content of the digital data. The information signal data are among digital data related to a plurality of channels of information signals which are subjected to a digital modulation, and the plurality of channels of information signals are made up of a combination at least including the information signal data among three kinds of information signals. The three kinds of information signals are a non-compressed audio signal, a video signal, and the information signal data other than the non-compressed audio signal and the video signal.

Abstract: A slow motion system includes a variable interlace constant line-rate video camera, a variable speed recorder and a line-rate converter connected in cascade. During slow motion shooting the camera interlace ratio is increased, the recorder playback speed is reduced by the interlace ratio and the converter increases the line-rate of the recorded signal in proportion to the interlace ratio thereby providing a constant field-rate constant line-rate video output signal having a temporal resolution which increases as the interlace ratio increases.

Abstract: A tape driving apparatus is disclosed which is operable to shift all of tapes simultaneously so as to position items recorded on the tapes in a predetermined position or to record informations on the tapes. The tape driving apparatus includes a plurality of pairs of first and second rollers and associated tapes, the first and second rollers having a polygonal cross section, each tape being wound on the corresponding first roller from its one end with one face thereof inside and on the corresponding second roller from the other end thereof with the other face thereof inside.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus comprises a reproducing circuit for reproducing from a recording medium a pre-recorded video signal having field correlation and having a predetermined band, and a noise reduction circuit supplied with a reproduced video signal from the reproducing circuit for essentially reducing noise included within the reproduced video signal.

Abstract: A video signal generating apparatus having a video camera which has a higher scanning speed than that of a standard video camera for generating a prior standard television video signal is disclosed which includes a circuit for dividing the video signal into a plurality of channel video signals, a circuit for expanding a time axis of the channel video signals, a circuit for combining the time axis expanded channel video signals for producing a plurality of composite video signals so that each of the composite video signals has a band width similar to that of the standard television video signal respectively and, a circuit for supplying a reference signal to the combining circuit so that each of the composite video signals has a color framing sequence same as that of the standard television video signal respectively.

Abstract: Video compression is achieved by taking the Hadamard transform of video data, comparing Hadamard coefficients from consecutive lines, encoding the changed coefficient values via an entropy coding technique, removing superfluous bits and storing the data on a magnetic tape. The stored data can then be reproduced, unpacked and decoded to regenerate the original video data signals, thereby achieving a very high degree of compression with little or no degradation of image quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a video signal is adapted to provide a reference signal f.sub.1 corresponding to the frequency of a first pilot signal f.sub.1, in the field period at the time of standard reproducing or in the frame period at the time of long playing reproducing, at the timing of scanning the center portion of a reproducing track by reproducing heads to be mixed with the reproduced pilot signal, and to determine the beat level of the fundamental wave of the error signal while sample-holding the obtained error signal, thereby to discriminate the recording mode by determining the period of this fundamental wave as a function of the rotation detecting output of the capstan. For this purpose, the sampling pulse is provided by means of a first variable frequency dividing circuit and a reference signal generating circuit, so that at the time of standard reproducing, the reference signal f.sub.1 corresponding to the frequency of the first pilot signal f.sub.

Abstract: A wide-aspect-ratio HDTV signal having 1600 luminance pixels/32 .mu.S line and 980 lines/frame is data reduced by deleting odd pixels of each line of TV field #1 and even pixels of each line of TV field #2 to produce 800 pixels per line, and is further data compressed by a form of differential-pulse-code modulation. The DPCM organizes the pixels into groups of five, and for each group transmits or records one reference pixel at full N-bits. The pixels to the right and left of the reference pixel are compared therewith to produce difference signals of M bits, where M<N. The remaining two pixels of each group are compared with reference pixels from the lines above and below to form M-bit difference signals. The difference signals are transmitted. The DPCM coding reduces the 800 pixels/line to the equivalent of 480 pixels/line. The color portion of the wide-aspect-ratio HDTV is similarly coded to produce the equivalent of 240 pixel/line.

Abstract: A system for recording a high resolution still video image consists of a memory for storing the image. The memory is addressed so that portions of the high resolution image may be read out to form video sub-images corresponding to a conventional video format, such as the NTSC standard. Each of these standard format sub-images is then stored on a video disk. Upon playback of the video disk to retrieve the images, each of the sub-images is stored in a memory in a fashion such that when all of the sub-images are so stored the entire memory may be read out to produce a reconstituted version of the high resolution video image.

Abstract: An image recording system in which an object image is caused to be formed on a solid state image transducer such as CCD each time a release is actuated, and the image signal stored on said image transducer is recorded as a video signal, thus a single frame image being recorded for each release. By controlling the storing operation of the image signal and the like, the exposure level for the image signal is adjusted to make it possible to record and reproduce the image always with regard to an optimum exposure state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for recording and reproducing color television signals on a magnetic media such as magnetic tape, wherein the signals recorded on and reproduced from the magnetic media are in a digital domain. The analog color television signal is converted to digital signals in a manner whereby the horizontal blanking interval is compressed and digital synchronizing information is inserted in the compressed horizontal blanking interval for every line. Upon reproduction, the digital synchronizing information is extracted from the reproduced information and is provided to servo circuits for controlling the relative transport of the magnetic tape and operatively associated magnetic heads to effect synchronous reproduction of the recorded information relative to a reference signal.

Abstract: A color video signal transmitting apparatus comprises first and second input terminals supplied in parallel with a time base compressed luminance signal and a first time base compressed line-sequential color difference signal which are obtained from one or a plurality of pickup elements of a television camera by changing an effective horizontal scanning period of the one or a plurality of pickup elements to a predetermined short period, a circuit for producing a second time base compressed line-sequential color difference signal by time base compressing the signal from the second input terminal, a circuit for obtaining a multiplexed signal of a second synchronizing signal having a predetermined width and being in phase with a first synchronizing signal from a third input terminal and a discriminating signal of every two regular horizontal scanning periods which is used to discriminate either one of two kinds of time base compressed color difference signals which make up the second time base compressed line-se

Abstract: A helical scan type magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus in which a magnetic tape is guided helically around a rotary magnetic head assembly over an angular range approximating to 360.degree.. Two magnetic heads are disposed relatively closely to each other at an angle smaller than 180.degree.. The rotary magnetic heads assembly performs a single complete rotation for a unit period, for example, one field period. In recording, video signal of the unit period undergoes time axis compression to be compressed to a period corresponding to a scanning period of the heads during which the magnetic heads are in contact with the magnetic tape in each rotation of the head assembly and supplied to alternately the magnetic heads which are so designed that the azimuth angles of the respective gaps differ from each other.

Abstract: Magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus records and reproduces on or from a magnetic recording tape a high speed video signal obtained from a high speed scanning video camera having a scanning speed N times the scanning speed of a standard video camera generating a standard television video signal, where N is an integer. The apparatus includes a drive for driving the magnetic recording tape to a run at tape speed N times the tape speed of a standard recording apparatus, circuitry for dividing the high speed video signal into N-channel video signals, and an expander for expanding the time axis of the high speed video signal so that each of the N-channel video signals is slightly compressed as compared to the standard television video signal.

Abstract: A digital video signal reproducing apparatus comprises a reproducing circuit for reproducing a digital video signal from a recording medium, where the recording medium is time-sequentially recorded with the digital video signal having a signal format in which a header signal is added to each of divided picture element data groups which are obtained by dividing a picture element data group in terms of a predetermined unit, the picture element data group is obtained by subjecting an analog video signal to a digital pulse modulation at a sampling frequency such that a product of a number of picture element data in one scanning line and an effective number of scanning lines in one picture of a standard television system is exceedingly close to 2.sup.18 but less than 2.sup.

Abstract: In a tape drive device for a telephone answering device, an idler is rotated by a motor and displaced selectively according to the directions of rotation of the motor so that the idler is brought into contact with a desired one of the first and second capstan flywheels which are adapted to drive the answering magnetic tape and the message recording magnetic tape, respectively.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording a video signal on magnetic tape which is helically wrapped on a guide drum having single rotary head for scanning the magnetic tape, one field of the video signal is divided into N segments thereof (where N is an integer) and each of the N segments are time-compressed to ensure a time corresponding to an interval where the single rotary head scans the magnetic tape. The N segments of the video signal are respectively recorded on separate N tracks of the magnetic tape by the single rotary head.

Abstract: A video signal recording apparatus of reduced size for portability combines a video camera and helical scan video tape recorder in a single unit, in which the reduced size is obtained in part by having a tape guide drum of reduced diameter, which requires a tape wrap angle greater than the conventional 180.degree. and employs a pair of rotary tape heads that are arranged close together relative to the diametrically opposed conventional head arrangement. The timing of the heads in recording the fields of the video signals as tracks is controlled by a vertical synchronization signal having pulses that are delayed to account for the finite distance between the two rotary heads. The vertical sync signal then has a different time period for a first field than it does for a second field of one frame of the video signal. The camera has an image pickup portion that is caused to be scanned by the same synchronization signals utilized in the recording operation.

Abstract: A digital video signal transmitting apparatus comprises a picture element data forming circuit for obtaining picture element data by subjecting an analog video signal to a digital pulse modulation, a transmitting picture element data producing circuit for successively producing for every one field, picture element data which are located at different picture element positions in a picture for each duration of one field and amount to 1/4 the number of picture element data corresponding to one field, among the picture element data which are successively obtained from the picture element data forming circuit in each duration of one field among first, second, third, and fourth durations of one field, and a transmitting circuit for transmitting through a transmission path a digital video signal in which the transmitting picture element data from the transmitting picture element data producing circuit are time-sequentially multiplexed.

Abstract: A color video signal recording apparatus recording a luminance signal and a chrominance signal on separate tracks in which a pair of chrominance component signals are time-compressed and serially recorded as the chrominance signals. In this case, there are provided a timebase compressor for time-compressing the pair of chrominance component signals and a clock generator for supplying a clock signal to the timebase compressor wherein the frequency of the clock signal is selected to be an integral multiple of the horizontal frequency.

Abstract: A clock pulse generating circuit in a color video signal reproducing apparatus comprises a first PLL supplied with a horizontal synchronizing signal within a time-division-multiplexed signal reproduced from a recording medium and having a response characteristic such that the first PLL can sufficiently follow a time base deviation in the horizontal synchronizing signal, a second PLL supplied with the horizontal synchronizing signal and having a response characteristic such that the second PLL substantially does not follow a time base deviation or noise in the horizontal synchronizing signal, a circuit for resetting a variable frequency oscillator within the first PLL by a reset signal, where the reset signal is obtained by tapping a signal which is subjected to a phase comparison with the horizontal synchronizing signal in a phase comparator within the second PLL, and a switching circuit for producing a write-in clock pulse from a pulse which is obtained from the first PLL during a write-in operation of memor

Abstract: A portable video recorder transduces video signals onto an elongated medium. The transducer-to-medium velocity is controlled by a rotary member such as a capstan, turntable or headwheel. In portable applications, motion of the recorder causes accelerations or variations in velocity of the rotary member which affects the regular spacing on the medium of sync or timing signals transduced thereto. Regular spacing of sync signals is desirable for good reproduction on playback. Timing or sync signals generated by the rotary members are used to control the rate of the timing signals of the video to be recorded as they are applied to the transducer, thereby making the spacing regular.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape driving apparatus comprises a motor, two pairs of reel shafts on which a pair of reel hubs of each of two cassette tapes are mounted, two capstans for the two cassette tapes, a head base plate supporting two magnetic heads and two pinch rollers each provided in a position corresponding to each pair of the reel shafts and movable between a first position, at which the magnetic heads and the pinch roller are all spaced apart from the magnetic tapes accommodated in the respective paired cassette tapes with the reel hubs thereof mounted on the two pairs of reel shafts, and a second position, at which the magnetic heads and the pinch rollers are all in contact with the magnetic tapes accommodated in the paired cassette tapes, and a gear train for selectively transmitting rotational power from the motor to the two capstans and the two pairs of reel shafts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to digital television tape recording and more particularly to such recording using helical scan apparatus of the segmented type i.e. where one field of video is recorded by a plurality of rotations of the headwheel.The invention also provides apparatus for recording or playing back a digital television signal comprising a helical scanning device including a drum which may be a rotatable headwheel provided with a plurality of recording/playback heads, guide means for wrapping a magnetic recording tape around a portion of the circumference of the drum, means for rotating the headwheel, and means for moving the tape around the surface of the drum whereby one field of a television video picture is recorded or played back by a plurality of rotations of the headwheel, characterized in that the recording/playback heads are disposed on the headwheel.

Abstract: A magnetic video recording apparatus for intermittent recording comprises a magnetic tape driving circuit (30), a video signal recording circuit (20), a control circuit (40) and a recording start instructing circuit (60). The magnetic tape driving circuit (30) makes a magnetic tape (1) travel at a predetermined speed while it is enabled. The video signal recording circuit (20) records a video signal (VS) in the magnetic tape (1) in a predetermined format. The recording start instructing circuit (60) provides intermittently a recording start signal (RS). The control circuit (40) enables the magnetic tape driving circuit (30) in response to the recording start signal (RS), enables the video signal recording circuit (20) for a predetermined period of time and then disables the magnetic tape driving circuit (30). A tape pattern thus recorded in the magnetic tape (1) does not differ from that in an ordinary video tape recorder.

Abstract: A tape driving apparatus is disclosed which is operable to select a desired tape among a plurality of tapes and to move the selected tape so as to position one or more items recorded on the tape in a predetermined position or to record information on the tape. The tape driving apparatus includes at least one first roller, a plurality of second rollers, a plurality of tapes, each of which is wound from its one end on the corresponding second roller and all of which are wound together from their other ends on the first roller, first means for positioning at least one of the second rollers in a predetermined position, and second means for rotating said second roller or second rollers and the first roller associated therewith to bring a desired portion of the tape in said predetermined position. The first and second rollers and the tapes are assembled together as a roller-tape assembly. The roller-tape assembly can be constituted by a removable roller-tape cassettes.

Abstract: A video signal magnetic recording and reproducing system having a single rotary head, comprises a time base compression circuit for subjecting a video signal to be recorded to time base compression, to obtain a recording signal in which the time base is compressed in units of a predetermined period, where the recording signal in which the time base is compressed has intervals in which no signal exists between the units of the predetermined period, a recording and reproducing circuit for recording the recording signal in the units of the predetermined period obtained from the time base compression circuit onto a magnetic tape by a magnetic head for each scan, and reproducing the recording signal thus recorded, and a time base expansion circuit for subjecting the signal reproduced by the recording and reproducing circuit to time base expansion, to obtain a continuous reproduced signal.

Abstract: An automatic scanning and control apparatus determines the location of a predetermined segment of an image field being scanned. The predetermined segment presents an image which is optically differentiatable from the surrounding area of the image field. The apparatus includes a beam device for selectively scanning the image field and producing an output signal thereof. The beam device includes means for modulating the output signal in accordance with variations in the image field. The predetermined segment of the image field causes modulation of the output signal of the beam device by providing an inflection therein when the beam scans across the segment. An analyzing circuit is adapted to accept the output signal from the beam device. Means generate a locating signal in predetermined time relation to the scanning. Comparator means compare the inflection in the output signal with the locating signal so that the location of the predetermined segment of the image field can be determined.

Abstract: A miniature helical scan video tape recorder (VTR) utilizes a reduced-diameter guide drum, but the video signals recorded thereby onto the tape have a standard track pattern and can be reproduced using a standard VTR having a guide drum of standard diameter D.sub.1. In the miniature VTR, the tape is wrapped for a tape wrap angle .alpha. (e.g., substantially 300 degrees) at a still angle .theta..sub.2, whereas the standard VTR uses a wrap angle of 180.degree. and a still angle of .theta..sub.1. In order to ensure that the miniature VTR achieves the same record track length l'.sub.N and recording angle .theta..sub.0 as the standard VTR, the diameter D.sub.2 of the miniature VTR is selected to satisfy the equation ##EQU1## where f.sub.V is the video field frequency. The still angle .theta..sub.2 satisfies the equation ##EQU2## the video signal to be recorded is given a non-standard horizontal scanning frequency f'.sub.H according to the relation ##EQU3## where f.sub.

Abstract: In a fast frame recorder having (1) a video camera adapted to produce signals corresponding to a variety of frame rates, (2) a variable speed tape recorder adapted to down-convert the frame rate of the camera signals to a reference frame rate by appropriately reducing the recorder tape speed to a reference speed, and (3) a display monitor adapted to receive the reference frame rate signals, the camera thereof may be adjusted for various scene and frame rate conditions without need to record the camera frame rate signals (for purposes of signal down-conversion). This is, in accordance with the invention, achieved by selecting a certain line (or lines) from each frame of the camera output signal, and applying such selected lines directly to the display monitor. Skipping from line to line in the camera output signal has the effect of down-converting the frame rate of the camera output signal as required.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting video data over telephone lines. The apparatus is particularly applicable for transmitting and receiving images of persons speaking to each other. In one form, a portable self-contained unit is provided at each end of a conventional telephone circuit wherein the transducers of the mouthpiece and earpiece of each telephone are respectively acoustically coupled to respective acoustic output and input electrical-to-sound and sound-to-electrical transducers of each self-contained unit for two-way audio and video communication therebetween.